Mishima Grand Festival, a festival of Mishima-taisha Shrine in Mishima City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan

This video “[Official] MISHIMA FESTIVAL JAPAN" (しゃぎり!歴史ロマン!【公式】三嶋大祭りMISHIMA FESTIVAL JAPAN) is a promotional video of a festival with a profound history that is held in Mishima, Shizuoka.

Mishima Festival is held from August 15th to 17th and it is a summer tradition in Mishima, Shizuoka, in Japan's Tokai region.
The video condenses the highlights of the three-day summer Mishima Grand Festival, including the solemn Shinto ritual, the festival music called "Shagiri," the heroic floats and Tezutsu fireworks, and the Yabusame horseback archery ritual. First, please enjoy the 1 minute and 50 second video to your heart's content.

What kind of festival is the Mishima Grand Festival and when is it in 2024?

The Mishima Taisha Grand Festival and the "Tsuke Matsuri," a festival attached to the main festival, have been known as the "Mishima Summer Festival" in Mishima City, Shizuoka Prefecture. Today, it is called the "Mishima Grand Festival" as a festival that emphasizes "history, culture, and tradition.

Held annually over three days on the same day in August, the Mishima Grand Festival is the largest festival in Mishima City, attracting approximately 500,000 visitors each year. 2024 dates are as follows.

Dates: Thursday, August 15, Friday, August 16, and Saturday, August 17, 2024
Location: Central city area between Mishima Taisha Shrine and Mishima Hirokoji Station
Access: 15-minute walk from Mishima Station on the JR Tokaido Honsen Line

Mishima Grand Festival [First Day] Schedule Highlights "Floats and Shagiri

Source :YouTube screenshot

Mishima Grand Festival, one of the summer festivals in Mishima, Shizuoka Prefecture, is held from August 15 to 17 and is one of the main festivals of Mishima-taisha.
On the first day of festival, you'll see floats decorated with drums, bells, and chimes parading throughout the town. Hearing the noises beckons people to continue to observe the activity.


Please check the video at 0:22 and see the dynamic parade floats. They're perfect for taking Instagram photos. If you watch the video at 0:31, you'll see the sunset and the lanterns on the floats shine throughout the town.

Mishima Grand Festival [Day 2] Highlights of the schedule: "Yoritomo no Kyoaku Flag Raising Procession" and "Tezutsu Fireworks".

August 16th is day 2 for the Mishima Festival, and it is a day for traditional culture.
On the second day, there will be a parade as well as the formal ceremony of Minamotono Yoritomo raising an army. Minamotono Yoritomo is a samurai with a history in Shizuoka. Every year, a Japanese celebrity performs the role of Minamotono Yoritomo, therefore, it attracts many visitors.

In 2024, "Tomiei Drum" who was the drummer in the popular drama, Sunday Gekijo "VIVANT", will play the role of Lord Yoritomo. We are looking forward to seeing what kind of Lord Yoritomo he will be.

Please check out the video at 0:50 to see an actor playing Minamotono Yoritomo. The performance and the armor of the participants for this event is very impressive.

There are more performances such as the Kid’s Flute Piece and the dedication of Ninjomai and Uyarasumai. At 1:01 in the video, we see the Tezutsu fireworks display which is truly a magical sight.

Mishima Grand Festival [Day 3] Schedule Highlights "Yabusame (horseback archery) ritual" and "Nohyo-bushi Parade

Source :YouTube screenshot

August 17th is the last day, and it is a day for dancing. On the last day, Yabusame Shinji is held, and many people visit to see this exciting event. Please see the video at 1:16 to see what Yabusame Shinji is.

Anyone can participate in the "Nohyo-bushi Parade," a grand dance to the local folk song "Nohyo-bushi" between Mishima-taisha Shrine and Hirokoji, and the "Mishimasamba Parade," a dance to the lively rhythm of the local folk song. Both adults and children can enjoy the parade, and locals and tourists alike join in the excitement.

Summary of the "Mishima Grand Festival" in Mishima City, Shizuoka Prefecture

Source :YouTube screenshot

Towards the end of the video at 1:38, many people get on Yagura (a wooden stage) and perform Mishima Bayashi.
We have introduced a brief schedule for the three days, but please check the official website for the detailed schedule and program.

The Mishima Grand Festival in Mishima City, Shizuoka Prefecture, is a heroic festival that brings excitement to Shizuoka during the Obon season.
There will be fair stalls, night stalls, and street stalls where you can enjoy Japanese festivals, so be sure to wear a Japanese-style yukata to the festival.
On the day of the festival, you can use the Mishima Taisha parking lot and the city's central parking lot, but it is recommended that you leave plenty of time for the festival as there will be traffic restrictions at nearby spots.

【Official Website】Mishima Festival
https://www.mishima-cci.com/maturi/

【Tripadvisor】Mishima Festival
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g780865-d1313050-r606940142-Mishima_Taisha_Shrine-Mishima_Shizuoka_Prefecture_Tokai_Chubu.html